Urethral discharge is mostly seen by men during or after urination. You should be able to distinguish between normal physiological discharge and pathological discharge, which are often the first signs of diseases of the genitourinary system. The nature of the discharge allows us to determine the etiology of the disease and make a preliminary diagnosis.
Types of pathological discharge in men
Pathological discharge is caused by diseases of the urinary canal and its surrounding organs. Pathological factors characterized by different etiologies cause damage to the urethra, which causes discharge. This process is called leukocytic urethritis (urethritis). Pathological factors can be infectious, chemical or mechanical.
mucous purulent discharge
- Such discharge consists of serous exudate, urogenital mucus and a small amount of leukocytes. They have the appearance of a clear milky-white liquid.
- Such discharge can be a signal of trichomoniasis, chlamydia and ureaplasmosis. These diseases are rarely accompanied by pain, pain and itching. Basically, their manifestation is limited to muco-purulent discharge at the end of urination.
Purulent discharge
- Their appearance is considered a symptom of infectious urethritis. Purulent discharge consists of damaged epithelial cells of the genital canal and urethral mucus. They have an increased concentration of leukocytes. Purulent discharge looks like a thick liquid that is completely yellow or slightly green.
- Often, such discharge is accompanied by pain, pain, itching, burning during urination and is usually abundant. Most often they are symptoms of trichomoniasis and gonorrhea.
white discharge
When white discharge appears, a man should pay attention to its consistency.
White discharge with the consistency of cheese. Basically, such discharge indicates male candidiasis (thrush) and is rare. The cause of candidiasis can be a course of chemotherapy or antibiotic therapy, as well as a decrease in immunity, it is not transmitted sexually.White discharge with foamy consistency. Such discharge is often a sign of trichomoniasis and may also indicate the presence of chronic prostatitis. If the cause is prostatitis, the discharge is often accompanied by a decrease or loss of potency and difficulty urinating.
diagnosis
No matter what the abnormal discharge looks like, a man should consult a urologist. Only a doctor can correctly diagnose the disease and choose the treatment; Self-diagnosis is useless. To determine the exact cause of the discharge, samples are usually taken for culture for nutrients and bacteriological studies. Additional diagnostic tools depend on the suspected disease; It can be urography, CT, ultrasound.
treatment
The treatment program depends on the symptoms of the male discharge.
STD In this case, both partners should undergo treatment. As a rule, this is antibacterial therapy, judiciously combined with immunomodulators. Sometimes local treatment is added (physiotherapy, prostate massage, placing medicine in the urethra), as well as a special diet. The specific program depends on the type of STD.Let's go. In most cases, candidiasis in men is localized with local treatment, but in advanced cases it is necessary to take general medications. In addition, it is necessary to take medicines that strengthen the patient's immunity and a special diet.
Discharge from the penis
Discharge from the penis is considered normal if it does not cause discomfort or other negative signs. Otherwise, these are symptoms of various sexually transmitted pathologies or disorders of the urogenital system and other body structures.
How to distinguish a normal state from a pathology?
| Sign | norm | Deviation |
|---|---|---|
| Time of appearance, frequency | Before or after sexual intercourse, during arousal | Despite intimacy, after sleep, after urination, defecation, sometimes constantly dripping |
| the smell | characteristic (egg white or chestnut) or odorless | Spoiled, sour, fetid, fishy, etc. Sh. |
| Color, consistency | Clear or whitish, consistency often resembles raw protein, sometimes sticky, viscous | Curd, thick, white, greenish, brown, plastered with blood clots and pus. May be transparent in case of viral disease |
| Additional symptoms | No | Itching, burning, redness, pain |
When is normal discharge from the penis?
A healthy adult male does not have any heavy discharge at rest. However, in some situations this is the norm:
- Precum. During arousal, a sticky, colorless substance is released - a lubricant to create a favorable environment for the normal transport of sperm. Doctors suspect a problem if there are many complaints of pre-ejaculation with low sexual arousal.
- ejaculation. We are not talking about ejaculation as an adequate finale to sexual intercourse, but about the waste that sometimes comes out after intercourse. Usually it is a few drops of whitish or colorless liquid.
- Ejaculation during wet dreams. This is an involuntary ejaculation due to sexual overstimulation and increased testosterone. It often happens in dreams.
- Smegma is the secretion of glands located in the region of the atria.. Serves as a protective fluid and lubricant for the head of the penis. Thanks to it, it does not dry out, does not burn and does not get damaged. The amount of smegma is small, almost invisible on underwear. However, with hormonal changes, it increases, if the imbalance is not related to pathology, this is also normal.
A large amount of smegma can enter the urethra, where it accumulates and "disappears", forming cottage cheese flakes, like thrush. This is also considered the norm conditionally: if sufficient hygiene is observed, the problem disappears.
When is the discharge a symptom of the disease?
If a man notices unnatural discharge from the penis, he should consult a doctor. It is difficult to independently determine the disease without medical education and diagnostic equipment.
The most common pathologies associated with the appearance or change of fluid secreted from the penis are STDs, inflammatory processes, and disorders in the functioning of muscular structures and the central nervous system.
sexually transmitted diseases
Sexual infections are initially asymptomatic, the incubation period lasts from 7 to 21 days, sometimes up to 6 months. Discharge occurs when infected with the following diseases:
- hepatitis;
- HIV
- gonorrhea;
- chlamydia;
- trichomoniasis;
- candidiasis;
- ureaplasmosis;
- human papillomavirus;
- mycoplasmosis;
- AIDS.
Chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis primarily cause clear, viscous discharge. The only sign of pathology is the absence of reasons for the natural appearance of fluid. Further pathologies cause a change in the color and consistency of the secreted fluid - it becomes transparent, slimy, pus-like.
Gonorrhea is characterized by unpleasant green or brown substances. Accompanied by severe pain and itching.
Hepatitis often causes a small amount of fluid to leak out, which stays on the top of the penis and when it dries up, it forms a white coating. A characteristic additional symptom is clouding and darkening of urine.
Candidiasis is accompanied by the appearance of clots, but their number is significantly less than in the case of female "thrush". There is itching, burning and redness of the head.
With trichomoniasis, stretchy, transparent mucus, pain and itching appear along with frequent urination. The urethra is swollen, the area around it becomes red and inflamed.
inflammatory processes
Pathologies causing discharge from the penis are not always sexually transmitted. Sometimes the problem arises against the background of the spread of infection, which occurs after tactile contact or is transmitted by airborne droplets.
Bacteria, viruses and fungi in large numbers cause an inflammatory reaction. Abnormal discharge occurs due to inflammation of the urethra, spermatozoa, sperm tuberculosis, prostate gland, forehead and other elements of the reproductive system.
The type of discharge depends on the microorganism causing the disease. For example, bacteria almost immediately cause the appearance of pus: the mucus has an unpleasant smell and an unpleasant color.
Changes in sperm volume and quality
If the sperm flows without prior excitement and subsequent orgasm, this is a pathology. Doctors diagnose spermatorrhea. The reasons lie in muscle disorders and central nervous system problems. It appears more often in old age or in advanced prostatitis, prostate adenoma.
Blood discharge - hematospermia, occurs with malignant neoplasms of the ureter, penile cancer, trauma. Sometimes the result of passing stones in the urinary tract.
diagnosis
After listening to the patient's complaints and collecting the anamnesis, urologists examine the genitals. In this case, specialists simultaneously receive prostate juice through rectal massage. Additional laboratory tests are required:
- Blood analysis;
- Prostate secretion;
- Urine analysis;
- sperm.
It is important to evaluate the discharge itself. For this, they undergo a microscopic examination. This method allows you to identify the main source of the problem - bacteria, viruses, fungi.
Next, doctors move on to instrumental diagnosis:
- ultrasound of pelvic organs, penis, scrotum;
- dopplerography;
- radiography;
- MRI;
- CT;
- cystoscopy;
- urethroscopy;
- Scintigraphy.
If neoplasms are found during the examination, diagnosticians take a puncture.
treatment
Treatment methods depend on the diagnosis. First of all, doctors prescribe medications that are suitable for eliminating pathogenic microflora:
- antibiotics;
- antivirus;
- anti-fungal.
Urologists prescribe drugs mainly orally, sometimes requiring intravenous or intramuscular administration of drugs.
In addition, a course of antihistamines and painkillers is required to relieve symptoms. Local medicines - anti-itch creams, gels, ointments - help to get rid of itching.
Patients are given sitz baths with sedatives, painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Washing after each urination will help spread the infection.
If the problem lies in disorders of the central nervous system or endocrinological pathologies, doctors involve highly specialized specialists.
Complementary therapies
Problems of the urogenital system should be solved in a complex manner. In addition to medications, doctors choose:
- rectal prostate massage;
- therapeutic waist massages;
- exercise therapy;
- physiotherapy;
- Reflexology.
Such procedures restore natural metabolism and prevent stagnation. The urologist prescribes a special diet that helps strengthen men's health. It is necessary to take vitamin complexes: vitamins C, E, A, group B.
Prevention
In most cases, the cause of discharge from the penis is sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, the most effective preventive measure is the careful selection of a sexual partner and the use of barrier contraception.
Urologists also recommend following a number of rules:
- Live an active lifestyle.
- Take care of your health and undergo preventive examinations.
- Timely treatment of pathologies.
- Wear loose underwear and pants.
- Avoid frequent changes of sexual partners.
- Watch your diet. The diet should contain vitamins, micro and macro elements necessary for men: selenium, zinc, magnesium, calcium.